Minimum Retroreflectivity Compliance System, Method and Assembly

ABSTRACT

A system, method and assembly for performing traffic sign inspections is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a first plurality of sheetings that each have a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other first plurality of sheetings; a first clamp and second clamp for clamping one of said first plurality of sheetings to a traffic sign; a first handheld light source; and a first enclosure for removably housing the first plurality of sheetings, said first and second clamps, and said first handheld light source. The assembly may further include a second enclosure for removably housing a second plurality of sheetings that each has a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other second plurality of sheetings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No.13/098,618 filed May 2, 2011, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to testing of retroreflectivity oftraffic signs and, more particularly, to a system, method and assemblyfor determining compliance of the retroreflectivity of traffic signswith a minimum retroreflectivity requirement.

BACKGROUND

While only one-quarter of all travel occurs at night, about half of thetraffic fatalities occur during nighttime hours. To address thisdisparity and promote highway safety, the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) has adopted traffic sign retroreflectivity requirements.Regulations contained in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD) include a standard for minimum levels of retroreflectivity thatmust be maintained for traffic signs. The regulation applies to mostregulatory, warning, street name, ground-mounted and overhead guidesigns, whether permanent, temporary or portable, on all public roads andprivate property where the public is invited to travel.

In order to maintain traffic sign retroreflectivity at or above theminimum levels, it is necessary to have a device with which to measurethe retroreflectivity levels of the sheeting, or possess a visualreference standard that can be compared against the traffic sign. As onemethod of determining that signs are at or above the minimum levels, theFHWA recommends that all agencies conduct nighttime visual assessmentsof individual traffic signs within their jurisdiction. The processrequires a sign inspector to view a sign at a known retroreflectivelevel which is at the minimum level defined by the standard to establishthe evaluation threshold for that night's inspection activities.Agencies typically may find such signs by looking through theirinventory of old or discarded signs (if available). However, withoutequipment to measure the retroreflectivity of these old or discardedsigns, the agency does not know if their discarded sign is an accuraterepresentation of the minimum standard. Most agencies do not possessdevices to measure retroreflectivity. Portable retroreflectometerstypically are priced beyond the maintenance budgets of many city,county, village and townships that are responsible for maintaining thesigns. Further, the devices themselves are not well suited to the rigorsof being constantly used in the field by maintenance crews, therebyrequiring ongoing maintenance and periodic calibration to accuratelymeasure retroreflectivity.

When nighttime visual sign inspections result in the identification ofsigns which may have marginal retroreflectivity (i.e., the signs aredetermined by the inspector to not clearly be above the minimumretroreflectivity), an agency requires the means to determine if thesign is above, or below the minimum standard. If an agency possesses aportable retroreflectometer, a measurement can be conducted, and adecision regarding the continued effectiveness (and use) of the sign canbe made. As an alternate procedure, an inspector may attach smallerpanels cut from older signs that are at the minimum retroreflectivitylevels to the sign in question, and conduct a comparative review underretroreflected light. However, without a retroreflectometer to measuresign retroreflectivity, the inspector cannot be certain that the smallerpanel is at the required minimum retroreflectivity level or is anaccurate visual representation of the minimum standard.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a plurality of retroreflectivesheeting, having various colors and retroreflectivity levels that areknown and/or certified to be at the minimum retroreflectivities requiredby the MUTCD standard. These and other advantages may be provided by oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art mayappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription. It is to be understood, however, that the detaileddescription of the various embodiments and specific examples, whileindicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, aregiven by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes andmodifications within the scope of the present invention may be madewithout departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includesall such modifications.

The present invention comprises a system, method and assembly forperforming traffic sign inspections. In one embodiment, the assemblyincludes a first plurality of sheetings that each have a combination ofretroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination ofretroreflectivity and color of each of the other first plurality ofsheetings; a first clamp and second clamp for clamping one of said firstplurality of sheetings to a traffic sign; a first handheld light source;and a first enclosure for removably housing the first plurality ofsheetings, said first and second clamp, and said first handheld lightsource. The assembly may further include a second enclosure forremovably housing a second plurality of sheetings that each has acombination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from thecombination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other secondplurality of sheetings.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the presently described invention,an assembly for performing traffic sign inspections is provided andincludes a first enclosure for removably housing a first plurality ofsheetings. The sheetings or calibrated signs including a first whitesheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 35 cd/lx/m²; asecond white sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 50cd/lx/m²; a third white sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of atleast 120 cd/lx/m²; a fourth white sheeting having a retroreflectivitylevel of at least 250 cd/lx/m²; a first green sheeting having aretroreflectivity level of at least 7 cd/lx/m²; a second green sheetinghaving a retroreflectivity level of at least 15 cd/lx/m²; a third greensheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 25 cd/lx/m²; afirst yellow sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 50cd/lx/m²; a second yellow sheeting having a retroreflectivity level ofat least 75 cd/lx/m²; a first orange sheeting having a retroreflectivitylevel of at least 50 cd/lx/m²; a second orange sheeting having aretroreflectivity level of at least 75 cd/lx/m²; a first red sheetinghaving a retroreflectivity level of at least 7 cd/lx/m²; an attachmentdevice for attaching one of said first plurality of sheetings to atraffic sign; and a first handheld light source.

In a still further exemplary embodiment of the presently describedinvention, a method of determining compliance of a sign with a minimumretroreflectivity, is described and includes the steps of initiallyselecting a color and retroreflectivity of the sign to be tested, thenselecting a comparison panel from a plurality of comparison panels.Next, the selected comparison panel is attached to the sign. The signand comparison panel is illuminated with a light source. Theretroreflectivity of the illuminated sign and the retroreflectivity ofthe illuminated comparison panel are compared and then it is determinedwhether the retroreflectivity of the illuminated sign is less thanretroreflectivity of the illuminated comparison panel. Finally,scheduling the sign for replacement if the retroreflectivity of the signis less than the retroreflectivity of the comparison panel.

In a still further exemplary embodiment of the presently describedinvention, an assembly for performing traffic sign inspections isprovided and includes: a first plurality of sheetings with each of saidfirst plurality of sheetings having a combination of retroreflectivityand color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivityand color of each of the other first plurality of sheetings, a firstclamp and second clamp for clamping one of the first plurality ofsheetings to a traffic sign; a first handheld light source, and a firstenclosure for removably housing the first plurality of sheetings, andthe first and second clamp, and first handheld light source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, willbe more completely understood and appreciated by referring to thefollowing more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 depicts an enclosure for carrying a plurality of calibrated signsin accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts the inside of the enclosure of FIG. 1 in accordance withan example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an enclosure for carrying a plurality of comparisonpanels, one or more light sources, and one or more clamps in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts the inside of the enclosure of FIG. 2 in accordance withan example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts illumination of a comparison panel attached to a trafficsign in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for testing compliance with minimumretroreflectivity standards according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatuses and methods disclosed in this document are described indetail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. Unlessotherwise specified, like numbers in the figures indicate references tothe same, similar, or corresponding elements throughout the figures. Itwill be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and describedexamples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements,apparatuses, methods, materials, etc. can be made and may be desired fora specific application. In this disclosure, any identification ofspecific shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc. are eitherrelated to a specific example presented or are merely a generaldescription of such a shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc.Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be,and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unlessspecifically designated as such. Selected examples of apparatuses andmethods are hereinafter disclosed and described in detail with referencemade to FIGURES.

Embodiments of the present invention provide visual sheetings having aretroreflectivity known to be equal to (or within a predeterminedtolerance of) the minimum levels defined by the MUTCD. The sheetings maybe used to establish viewing threshold and/or be compared to “marginal”traffic signs to determine whether replacement of the traffic sign iswarranted. Embodiments may include one or more light sources suitablefor comparing sheetings with traffic signs at nighttime or daytime andone or more clamps for attaching a sheeting to a traffic sign.

One example embodiment of the present invention comprises an enclosurethat contains all of the necessary tools for a sign Inspector toestablish the evaluation threshold for nighttime sign inspections and toconduct individual sign inspections of marginal signs. Morespecifically, this example embodiment includes eight calibrated signsand twelve comparison panels in color combinations identified by Table2A-3 of the MUTCD and that are manufactured using T-5500, encapsulatedbeaded material, retroreflective sheeting, available from Avery DennisonCorporation, Niles, Ill., with retroreflectivity levels engineered andcertified to comply with the minimum levels defined by the standard (theMUTCD). As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a watertight sign enclosure 100may be used to house the first plurality of sheetings that comprise theeight calibrated signs 110 a-h. Table I below identifies the calibratedsigns forming part of this example embodiment.

TABLE 1 Calibrated Signs FIG. 2 label Color CombinationRetroreflectivities Sheeting Type 110a White on Green White 250; Green25 Beaded 110b White on Green White 120, Green 15 Beaded 110c Black onYellow Yellow 50 Beaded 110d Black on Yellow Yellow 75 Beaded 110e Blackon Orange Orange 50 Beaded 110f Black on Orange Orange 75 Beaded 110gWhite on Red White 35, Red 7 Beaded 110h Black on White White 50 Beaded

TABLE 2 Table 2: Calibrated - Signs Range Coefficient of Retroreflection(R_(A)) cd/lx/m² at Calibrated Color O.A. 0.2° and E.A. −4.0° Panel No.Background Legend Minimum Maximum 110a Green 25 33 White 250  285  110bGreen 15 22 White 120  145  110c Yellow 50 60 Black n/a n/a 110d Orange50 60 Black n/a n/a 110e Yellow 75 90 Black n/a n/a 110f Orange 75 90Black n/a n/a 110g Red  7 12 White 35 45 110h White 50 60 Black n/a n/a

TABLE 3 Table 3: Calibrated Signs - Comparison Coefficient ofRetroreflection (R_(A)) cd/lx/m² at Comparison O.A. 0.2° and E.A. −4.0°Panel No. Color Minimum Maximum 1 Green 7 12 2 Green 15 22 3 Green 25 334 White 250 285 5 White 120 145 6 Yellow 50 60 7 Orange 50 60 8 Yellow75 90 9 Orange 75 90 10 White 35 45 11 Red 7 12 12 White 50 60Reflectivity in the above table and elsewhere herein is designated inunits of cd/lx/m² (candela per lux per square meter) and measured at anobservation angle of 0.2° and an entrance angle of −4.0° (as defined bythe MUTCD). In this embodiment, the calibrated signs 110 a-h are twentyfour inch squares (although other shapes and sizes may be used) and maybe fabricated using retroreflective sheeting that has no visualorientation sensitivity (e.g., T-5500 offered by Avery Dennison®). Eachof the calibrated signs 110 is removably housed in a separatecompartment of the enclosure 100, whose interior (shown in FIG. 2) maybe formed of foam, plastic, and/or other suitable material. Theenclosure 100 may also include a compartment 120 for receiving a manualor guide book for using the calibrated signs. While the use of beadedfilm has been described in the table above, it should be understood thatprismatic films may also be suitable for use in connection with thisinvention or alternatively, a combination of beaded and prismatic films.

The films used in connection with this invention are also preferablyposition or orientation insensitive. Where a prismatic film is used, theprismatic film preferably will have a tiled arrangement of the sheeting.That is, discrete tiles are arranged at orientations of 0°, 90°, 180°and 270° forming a tiled pattern. In this manner, regardless of how thesheeting is applied to a surface, it will maintain substantially thesame level of performance.

Calibrated signs 110 a-h are attached to a post, fence or other mountingfixture at regulation height (e.g., five feet) and, using an inspectionvehicle with properly aimed and adjusted headlights, the inspector viewsthe calibrated signs 110 a-h at nighttime from the vehicle at typicalviewing distances for traffic signs. In some instances, the inspectormay view the calibrated signs 110 a-h from the vehicle while the vehicleis moving. The visual brightness of the signs 110 a-h from thisprocedure is used to establish the viewing threshold of the night'sinspection activities. Different locations, weather, or nighttimeambient lighting (e.g., full moon versus new or no moon) may vary theperceived retroreflectivity of the signs. Thus, prior to beginning thenight's inspections, the inspector may view the calibrated signs 110 a-hin order to gauge (or set) the minimum retroreflectivity that inspectormust perceive for each traffic sign (for a sign to warrant no furtherevaluation). After viewing, all of the calibrated signs 110 a-h may bestored in the enclosure 100 to provide protection against physicaldamage, and to protect against other environmental exposure which couldhasten retroreflective deterioration over time. Alternatively, thecalibrated signs 110-a-h may be placed securely in a maintenancelocation for further use.

Ideally, the calibrated signs 110 a-h should be replaced approximatelyevery two years or earlier when the signs have been scratched or damagedand performance may have been compromised.

The inspector may travel to the traffic signs in the designated area tothereby identify traffic signs whose retroreflectivity is marginal,which means that the perceived retroreflectivity is below apredetermined retroreflectivity threshold. The predeterminedretroreflectivity threshold will be determined by the calibrated signs110 a-h viewed by the inspector (as discussed above). The inspector mayinspect the signs as the inspector drives by the signs in the movinginspection vehicle or may stop the vehicle in front of the traffic signto perform the visual inspection. The inspector may record each trafficsign determined to have marginal retroreflectivity so additionalevaluation may be performed later or immediately.

When the inspector determines that a traffic sign has marginalretroreflectivity (from the procedure discussed above), the inspectormay need or wish to perform additional evaluation of the traffic sign.Referring to FIGS. 3 AND 4, as discussed above, this example embodimentof the present invention may include a control panel assembly thatcomprises two light sources 235 a-b, two clamps 240 a-b, a manual andguide 220, and a plurality of sheetings (or control panels) 210 a-lhoused in the watertight panel enclosure 200. Other embodiments mayinclude fewer components (such as only one light source), different oradditional components.

First, the sign marked for additional evaluation is cleaned according tothe recommendations of the retroreflective sheeting manufacturer. Next,the inspector selects and retrieves one (or sometimes two) controlpanels 210 that matches the traffic sign (i.e., size and backgroundcolor) being inspected. In some instances, the inspector may notvisually be able to determine the retroreflectivity of a sign. However,the inspector may determine the retroreflectivity of the sign byobserving other characteristics of the sign in view of Table 2A-3 of theMUTCD. For example, a yellow or orange sign with text and fine and boldsymbols measuring at least forty eight inches is required to have aretroreflectivity of at least 50 cd/lx/m² while a yellow or orange signhaving text and fine symbols measuring less than forty-eight inches isrequired to have a retroreflectivity of at least 75 cd/lx/m² (asdictated by Table 2A-3 of the MUTCD). Table 2A-3 of the MUTCD is herebyincorporated by reference. Like the calibrated signs 110, the controlpanels 210 are produced using retroreflective sheeting withretroreflectivity levels engineered and certified to comply with theminimum standard for the particular traffic sign category.

Table 4 below identifies the comparison panels forming part of thisexample embodiment.

TABLE 4 Comparison Panels Color Retroreflectivity Sheeting Type Green 7Beaded Green 15 Beaded Green 25 Beaded White 35 Beaded White 50 BeadedWhite 120 Beaded White 250 Beaded Yellow 50 Beaded Yellow 75 BeadedOrange 50 Beaded Orange 75 Beaded Red 7 Beaded

The selected comparison panel 210 is then clamped to the traffic signusing the two sign clamps 240 a and 240 b as illustrated in FIG. 5. Inthis embodiment, the comparison panels are six inch squares althoughother shapes and sizes may be used. In this embodiment, the comparisonpanels 210 are fabricated using retroreflective sheeting that has novisual orientation sensitivity (e.g., T-5500 offered by AveryDennison®). Consequently, the panels 210 may be attached in anyorientation to signs of any shape including: square, rectangle, octagon,circle, or diamond. After the selected comparison panel 210 is clampedto the sign, the inspector stands a minimum of twenty-five feet from thesign and, while holding the LED flashlight 235 a at approximately eyelevel, radiates the comparison panel 210 and sign. The inspector viewsthe radiated traffic sign and comparison panel 210 to compare theretroreflectivity of each. If the visual appearance reveals the sign tobe brighter than the comparison panel 210, the sign is determined(judged by the inspector) to be above the minimum standard, and mayremain in service. If, however, the comparison panel 210 is determined(e.g., judged) to be brighter than the traffic sign, then the inspectormay mark the sign to be scheduled for replacement. The LED flashlightwill be more visible at times other than bright sunlight conditions. TheLED has a output of at least about 20 lumens.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 300 for testing compliance with minimumretroreflectivity standards according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention. At 305 the sign(s) determined to require additionalevaluation are identified such as by using the calibrated signsaccording to the method described above or another method. At 310 thesign to be tested is cleaned in accordance with manufacturerrecommendations. At 315 a comparison panel is selected (from theplurality of comparison panels) to match the characteristics (color andretroreflectivity of the background of the sign) of the sign beingtested. At 320 the selected comparison panel 210 is attached to the signsuch as by using two or more clamps 240. At 325 the sign and comparisonpanel 210 are radiated (illuminated) such as by using an LED flashlight235 a. At 330 the inspector views and compares the retroreflectivity ofthe radiated sign and comparison panel 210. At 335 the inspectordetermines, based on the comparison, whether the sign is less brightthan the comparison panel 210 and therefore needs replaced. At 340, ifthe sign needs replaced, the inspector may schedule replacement and/orrecord the determination that the sign needs replacement (includinginformation identifying the sign and/or its location).

Nighttime sign inspections have two problems for agencies. First,nighttime inspections are inherently more dangerous with the loss ofvisual clues that exist during daylight hours. Further, motorists areless attentive due to fatigue, creating a dangerous work environment forinspectors. In addition, agencies often find themselves in situationswhere they are required to pay overtime labor rates for nighttimeinspectors. Because of these factors, it may be desirable to an agencyto conduct daytime secondary inspections for signs judged marginalduring the nighttime review.

Daytime secondary inspections may be conducted using the comparisonpanels in a manner similar to the manner described for nighttimeinspections. However, instead of using the LED flashlight 235 a, theinspector may use a larger 1,000,000 candlepower light source 235 b (orat least a 500,000 candlepower light source) also enclosed in the panelenclosure 200 to achieve sufficient luminance to create, view, andcompare retroreflective performances of the panel 210 and sign indaylight. If the visual inspection reveals the sign to be brighter thanthe comparison panel 210, the sign is judged to be above the minimumstandard, and may remain in service. If the comparison panel 210 isdetermined to be brighter than the traffic sign, then the sign maymarked (and/or scheduled) for replacement.

Enclosures 100 and 200 of both the calibrated signs 110 and thecomparison panels 210 may have slots in a foam bedding (or plastic) tohold each panel 210 (or sign 110) in a position in which the panel 210(or sign 110) does not contact other panels 210 (or signs 110) as isillustrated in the figures. Alternatively, the signs may be stackedhorizontally in an area sized and configured for the signs and may haveprotective slip sheets between each of the signs. Each enclosure maycomprise a heavy-duty, durable, watertight case that will withstand therigors of transport In the back of a maintenance truck.

In addition, the enclosures 100 and 200 may each also have a compartment110 and 210 (e.g., foam compartment) for holding a manual ofinstructions that details the procedure(s) to be used by the inspector.In addition, the panel enclosure may have a compartment (e.g., foamcompartment) sized and shaped to receive each of the two flashlights 235and clamps 240 to be used by the inspector. The comparison panels 210and calibrated signs 110 may include labels or other indicia on the backside (or front side) to indicate the retroreflectivity of the panel orsign. Alternately or additionally, each slot that holds a panel 210 orcalibrated sign 110 may be labeled with the color (or color combination)and/or retroreflectivity.

The marking of traffic signs to be additionally evaluated and/orreplaced may be performed by storing data in computer such as a databasestored on a portable computer of the inspection vehicle or a databasestored remotely that is accessed wirelessly via a portable computingdevice. In addition or alternately, the signs may be physically markedsuch as with reflective tape.

While the tables above reference various retroreflectivities and colors,other embodiments may include additional (or different) sheetings ofother sizes, colors, retroreflectivities, color combinations, sheetingtypes (beading, prismatic), and/or other characteristics. In addition,while the retroreflectivity of the comparison panels and calibratedsigns ideally would be exactly at the minimum defined by the MUTCDstandard (identified in the tables above), in practice measurement (andmanufacturing) tolerances may result in slight variations to suchminimums that may not be generally perceivable by human observation.

While the above embodiment includes include a control panel assembly anda calibrated sign assembly, other embodiments may include only thecontrol panel assembly or only the calibrated sign assembly.

Each of the two clamps may be spring clamps that are urged closed by thespring and include rubber or other non-slip material on the clamping endand/or the handles. While the above embodiment includes two clamps,other embodiments may include one clamp, or three or more clamps.

It is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments havebeen provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way tobe construed as limiting of the invention. Words used herein are wordsof description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Inaddition, the advantages and objectives described herein may not berealized by each and every embodiment practicing the present invention.Further, although the invention has been described herein with referenceto particular structure, materials and/or embodiments, the invention isnot intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather,the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methodsand uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Thoseskilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of thisspecification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for performing traffic signinspections, comprising a first enclosure for removably housing a firstplurality of sheetings including: a first white sheeting having aretroreflectivity level of at least 35 cd/lx/m²; a second white sheetinghaving a retroreflectivity level of at least 50 cd/lx/m²; a third whitesheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 120 cd/lx/m²; afourth white sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 250cd/lx/m²; a first green sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of atleast 7 cd/lx/m²; a second green sheeting having a retroreflectivitylevel of at least 15 cd/lx/m²; a third green sheeting having aretroreflectivity level of at least 25 cd/lx/m²; a first yellow sheetinghaving a retroreflectivity level of at least 50 cd/lx/m²; a secondyellow sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of at least 75cd/lx/m²; a first orange sheeting having a retroreflectivity level of atleast 50 cd/lx/m²; a second orange sheeting having a retroreflectivitylevel of at least 75 cd/lx/m²; a first red sheeting having aretroreflectivity level of at least 7 cd/lx/m²; an attachment device forattaching one of said first plurality of sheetings to a traffic sign;and a first handheld light source.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid attachment device comprises a first clamp; the assembly furthercomprising a second clamp for clamping said one of said first pluralityof sheetings to a traffic sign.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein saidfirst and second clamps are removably housed in said enclosure.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3, further comprising a second handheld light sourcehaving a light output of at least 500,000 candlepower lights.
 5. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the first light source has a light outputof at least 20 lumens.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the firstlight source is a light-emitting diode (LED) flashlight.
 7. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sheetings is square inshape.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plurality ofsheetings are constructed with beaded retroreflective material.
 9. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of sheetings areconstructed with prismatic retroflective material.
 10. The assembly ofclaim 9, wherein each of the first plurality of sheetings furthercomprises four tiles of prismatic-retroreflective material that form acomposite rectangular sheeting and wherein the four tiles are orientatedat angles 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° with respect to an edge of thecomposite rectangular sheeting.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, whereineach of the first plurality of sheetings further includes amanufacturing date for the retroreflective material.
 12. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said first enclosure comprises: a first compartmentsized and shaped to receive said first handheld light source; and asecond compartment sized and shaped to receive said attachment device.13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a second enclosure forremovably housing a second plurality of sheetings including: a firstsheeting with white having a retroreflectivity level of at least 250cd/lx/m² and green having a retroreflectivity level of at least 25cd/lx/m²; a second sheeting with white having a retroreflectivity levelof at least 120 cd/lx/m² and green background having a retroreflectivitylevel of 1 at least 5 cd/lx/m²; a third sheeting that includes yellowhaving a retroreflectivity level of at least 50 cd/lx/m²; a fourthsheeting that includes yellow having a retroreflectivity level of atleast 75 cd/lx/m²; a fifth sheeting that includes orange having aretroreflectivity level of at least 50 cd/lx/m²; a sixth sheeting thatincludes orange having a retroreflectivity level of at least 75cd/lx/m²; a seventh sheeting with white having a retroreflectivity levelof at least 35 cd/lx/m² and red having a retroreflectivity level of atleast 7 cd/lx/m²; and an eighth sheeting with white having aretroreflectivity level of at least 50 cd/lx/m².
 14. A sheeting elementfor inclusion in a traffic-sign-inspection assembly kit, the sheetingelement comprising: a color substantially matching an original color ofa highway sign; and a retroreflectivity level of substantially one ofthe following: 7 cd/lx/m², 15 cd/lx/m², 25 cd/lx/m², 50 cd/lx/m², 75cd/lx/m², 120 cd/lx/m², or 250 cd/lx/m².
 15. The sheeting element ofclaim 14, wherein the element is constructed with a beadedretroreflective material.
 16. The sheeting element of claim 14, whereinthe element is constructed with the element is constructed with aprismatic retroreflective material.
 17. The sheeting element of claim16, the element further comprising four tiles of prismaticretroreflective material that form a composite rectangular sheeting andwherein the four tiles are orientated at angles 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°with respect to an edge of the composite rectangular sheeting.
 18. Thesheeting element of claim 14, further comprising a manufacturing datefor the retroreflective material.